Means for reinforcing banjo type axle housings



March 19, 1940. s. SPATTA HEARS FOR REINFORCING BANJO TYPE AXLE HOUSINGS Filed June 11, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l eorge V March 19, 1940. -rm 2,194,101

IEANS FOR REINFORCING BANJO TYPE AXLE HOUSINGS Filed June 11, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 19, 1940. SPA-[TA 2,194,101

mums FORREINFORCING BANJO TYPE AXLE aousmes Filed June 11, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet s March 19, 1940.

G. SPATTA HEARS FOR REINFORCING BANJO TYPE AXLE HOUSINGS Filed June 11. 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR REINFORCING BANJO TYPE AXLE HOUSINGS Application June 11, 1937, Serial No. 147,655

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a means for reinforcing axle housings, and more particularly is directed to the securing of reinforcing rings to the flanges defining the differential housing frame in a banjo type axle housing.

In forming axle housings of the banjo frame type, wherein a differential carrier is bolted to the front flange of the banjo frame, and a back cover plate is secured to the rear flange thereof,

it is necessary to provide an adequate thickness of metal in the flanges to insure positive support of the bolts therein. When axle housings of this type are formed from tubular blanks, such as described in my Reissue Patent No. 20,103 of 16 September 8, 1936, the expansion of the central portion of the blank to form the banjo results in a reduction in thickness of the wall sections which are folded radially inwardly to form the flanges, and it has been found necessary, in some 20 types of housings, to reinforce these flanges by securing suitable rings thereto.

The rings which are employed may preferably be formed from flat strip stock, rolled and welded as described in detail in my copending applica- 25 tion, Serial No. 112,247, flied November 23, 1936, and per se form no part of the present invention.

The primary object attained by the present invention is a simplified means for securing such rings to the flanges of a banjo type diflerential 3p, frame of a rear axle housing. Broadly contemplated. the invention comprises supporting the housing for rotation about an inclined axis with the ring to be secured to the flange clamped in position thereon, and then rotating the ring and 35 housing whereby the welding electrode may remain stationary and the weld is formed about the defining surface of the ring by rotation of the housing.

In carrying out the invention I provide as a 40 preferred form of the invention a supporting stand having an inclined rotatable shaft carrying a supporting head upon which the banjo frame is mounted. The clamp for holding the ring in position on the flange of the frame is 45 carried by a second shaft telescoping within the rotatable shaft and actuated through suitable toggle mechanism for movement into clamping position. The welding equipment is supported above the head, and the inclination of the axis 50 of rotation is such that a V-shaped cleft is presented by the annular surface of the ring and the flange whereby a highly effective annular weld may be formed in this cleft during rotation of the head.

55 Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine for effecting a substantially uniform weld securing the ring around its periphery to the banjo flange.

Still another object of the present invention is to produce a simplified rapid and economical 5 means for reinforcing the banjo flanges, which is semi-automatic in operation, whereby one operator may take care of a plurality of units at the same time.

Other objects and advantages of the present 10 invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with'the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and method of operation of a preferred form of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view with portions broken away, of one form of machine for carrying out the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial elevationalview showing the details of the clamping mechanism;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the toggle supporting mechanism;

Figure 5 is-a sectional view taken through the lower end of the toggle mechanism; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the clamping head.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I provide a supporting stand indicated generally at 5 having the base portion 6, the Vertically extending back portion 1 which supports an overhanging rail 6 suitably braced by means of the angle members 2'3 and ill. At the forward portion of the stand there is provided the supporting frame plate 16 which is disposed at an angle with respect to the base 6, in a preferred embodiment of the invention this angle being 45. The plate i0 is held in inclined position by means of the angle members 12 and I3.

At its upper end the plate I0 is provided with a normally extending journal M having the sleeve portion 15 spaced from the plate l0 and adapted to receive the supporting head structure shown generally at 16.

This head structure comprises a drum-like cylindrical portion I! having the central hub I 8 which is suitably bored to receive the'axially movable shaft l9 therein, the hub l8 having the keyway 2i) whereby the shaft I9 is keyed to the hub l8 for conjoint rotation therewith. At its lower face the drum or head I1 is provided with the base or wear plate 22 which is secured thereto by means of the screws 23. The plate 22 is apertured at its central portion to receive the sleeve 26 which is welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto as indicated at 25. A suitable set screw 26 is threaded into the lateral surface of the sleeve 26 to key the shaft 2'! therein, this shaft seating at its upper end against the base of the head ll, and at its lower end having the reduced portion 28 forming a hub for a pulley 29 which is secured thereto by means of the key 30 and the set screw 32.

Intermediate its ends, the shaft 21 is provided with the radial flange 33 which forms a thrust surface for the upper race of a bearing assembly and the inner surface oi the journal sleeve [15 to accommodate relative rotative movement therehetweeri. In order to provide prop-er lubrication for the bearing 3d and pushing 38, I provide the lubricant fitting which threads into the journal sleeve to and communicates with the passage to leading to the bearing assembly.

The pulley is of the multiple V-belt type, and is adapted to he driven by means of the belt til from a EOYZ WJ -CHRlf; pulley carried upon the output of a gear reduction mechanism shown generally G5. The speed reduc tion gearing as has its input shaft 36 provided with a pulley ll which is connected by means of the belt 68 to the drive pulley of an electric motor or similar power device which is suitably supported by means of the frame upon a supporting bloclr secured to the inclined plate lit. In order to provide for proper terisioniug of the belt til, the frame is mounted for edjustable movement toward and away from the gear 55 carried by the angle plate M, and can. he moved laterally with respect to the axis of the shaft 2? in order to vary the tension on the belt 2 he tween the pulleys 29 and 53. This lateral move ment is also imparted to the supporting hloclr for the motor frame in order to maintain the alignment between the pulley ill and the drive pulley of the motor.

Considering now the shaft it which is adapted to have relative axial movement with respect to the shaft ll and head ll, this shaft is provided at its upper end with a rectangular shaped head portion Gil which projects laterally on opposite sides of the shaft. A suitable clamp head 62 shown in detail in Figure 6 and shown in section in Figure 2 is providedat its center with 9. rec tangular opening whereby it may be turned to fit over the head and may be moved down wardly below the under surface of this head. Suitable U-shaped handles 64 are secured to the head 62 to facilitate its movement over the head 69. After the head has been positioned below are-1,101

the surface of the head portion 80 of the shaft I, the clamp head 62 is rotated through a quarter of a revolution to dispose the slot 63 in a direction crosswise of the head portion 60, thereby holding the clamp head 62 against displacement outwardly of the end of the shaft l8.

The plate 22 is of a diameter such that it pro- -jects radially outwardly upon the cylindrical surface of the head, ill, and upon this surface the plate 22 is adapted to support a first cam ring 55 which is suitably secured thereto by means of the cap screws 68. The ring 65, as shown in detail in Figure 1, is provided with cam surfaces Si which cooperate with corresponding cam surfaces on the upper rotatable cam ring 68 carried thereby. The cam ring 58 is provided with opposite extending handle or actuating arms 69 whereby it may be rotated relative to the cam ring 65 to a position where the cam surfaces 6'5 are in align-- ment, and the cam ring 68 is therefore disposed in its lowermost position. Upon rotation oi the ring 68, the cam surfaces raise this ring upwardly from the ring ti at distance corresponding sub stantially to the thickness of the reinforcing ring which is to be secured to the flange of the banjo opening. Thus, the structure is adapted for use in welding the rings to the two opposite flanges oi" the banjo.

Considering Figure 1 again, an axle housing is shown generally at it and is provided with the banjo flange portions it which fit about the exv terual surface of the head. ti and are centered thereby. Each of the flanges ii is adapted to receive on its outer :face a reinforcing ring it which, upon completion of the reinforcing oper- 68. The ring is therefore rotated to move it amally away from the ring 65 a distance corre spending to the thickness of thereinforcing ring so that the clamping head t2 will have the same relative position as when a ring is provided on hath flanges.

After the ring has been welded to one of the flanges, the housing to is reversed in position on the head ll end the cam ring is rotated. to move it downwardly to accommodate the additional thickness introduced by the position of the which has been welded as indicated at it. The second ring is then placed on the upper flange l2 and the clamping head 62 serves to hold this ring in position during the welding operation. For this purpose, the head E2 is provided with a peripheral radial flange portion l5 having the wear plugs l6 positioned therein for engaging the outer surface of the ring to be welded. The head ll is provided with wear plates ll and guide plates it which are secured by means of the screws l9 and 8G to the lateral surface of the head, and which serve to guide the banjo over the head and to center it in position with respect welded ring disposed thereagainst while the secand ring is beingwelded to the second flange of the banjo.

The lower end of the shaft I9 terminates within the bearing housing 84 which has the top plate 85 secured thereto by means of the screws 66. A suitable headed nut 81 threads over the lower end of the shaft I8 and bears against the lower race of a thrust bearing assembly 88 carried within a recessed portion of the housing 84. The upper race of the bearing assembly is confined by the top plate 85 and thus a thrust bearing assembly is provided which permits relative rotation of the shaft I8, but prevents any substantial relative movement between the shaft I8 and the housing 84. A suitable lubricant fitting 88 is provided for introducing lubricant to the bearing assembly 88 within the housing. Threaded into the lower end of the housing 84 is the stud portion 80 of a shaft member 82 which has its upper end adjacent the stud portion 80 flatted as indicated at 93 to facilitate threading the same into the housing 84. Disposed upon the plate I rearwardly of the housing 84 is an angle plate member 84 which is secured to the plate I0 by means of the cap bolts 85 and which has the adjusting screw 86 carried by the normally extending angle portion thereof.

This screw bears against the upper face 'of a U-shaped plate assembly 81 which is mounted for vertically adjusting movement on the plate I0. This adjustable movement is provided by the clamping bolts 88 extending through the assembly 81 and through the supporting plate I0, and which engage in elongated slots 88 formed on the back portion of the assembly 81. A plurality of such adjusting means is provided, and the plate' assembly 81 is held in vertically aligned position by means of keyways I00 cooperating with suitable guide means carried by the surface of the plate I0.

The plate assembly 81 is of generally U-shaped form having the leg portions 81 and I02 extending normal to the surface of the plate I0 and reinforced by suitable angle plates I03. At its outer end the plate 81 is provided with a slightly reduced portion into which are threaded the stud members I04 which carry the spaced toggle links I05 thereon, these links being mounted for.pivot al movement about the studs I04 at one end. The forward portion of the plate 81 is also provided with an opening adapted to receive the bushing member I06 which serves as a guide for the shaft 82 extending therethrough, and whch is suitably held in position by the set screw I01.

Suitable spring means I08 is biased between the upper surface of the plate 81 and the lower face of the bearing housing 84. The base portion I08 of the plate assembly between the plates 88 and I02 and the supporting plate I0 is suitably apertured to receive the link I I0, the plate I 0 having the aperture or rectangular slot II2 formed therein while the plate I08 has the elongated slot I I3 formed therein, which accommodates the adjusting movement of the plate assembly with respect to the plate I0. This link at its lower end is pivotally connected by the pin IM to a pair of plate members II5 welded or otherwise secured to the lever II6 forming aportion of the treadle operating mechanism. The lever H6 is pivoted at one end by the pin II1 to a suitable supporting bracket II8 carried by the supporting stand and held in fixed position. The opposite end of the lever II6 extends outwardly between the laterally spaced supporting ang'es I2 and at its outer end is provided with the treadle portion II8 adapted to be operated by the foot of the operator.

At its opposite end the link II 0 is connected to a cross pin I which extends transversely below the plate 81 and which is adapted to receive the opposite ends I22 of a U-shaped clevis member indicated generally at I28. Suitable spacing sleeves 'I24 are provided between the ends I22 and the link IIO to center the link with respect to the ends of the clevis.

At its opposite end the clevis member is adapted to carry a block I24 secured thereto by means of the bolts I25 which is provided wlth a substantially U-shaped portion I26 adapted to clear the shaft 82 when the clevis member I23 is moved downwardly normal to the axis of the shaft 82. Extending through the clevis member I23 and through the opposite end of the links I05 are suitable stud members I21 which are threaded into opposite sides of the block I24. These stud members form pivotal supports for the lower ends of the links I05 and also form pivotal support for the upper ends of the links I28 which are disposed between the opposite surfaces of the block I24 and the arms of the clevis member. The links I28 extend downwardly to a suitable lost motion cushioning means disposed on the outer end of the plate I02 and indicated generally at I30, being pivotally connected to opposite sides of the block member I32 by means of studs I33.

The block member I32 is provided with an axially extending recess I34 within which is received the lower end of the shaft 82. The shaft 82 is provided at its lower end with a threaded stud portion I35 adapted to receive the thrust washer I36 secured in position thereon by the castellated nut I31 threaded over the end of the shaft. A suitable spring I38 is biased between the base of the recess I34 and the adjacent face of the washer I36 about the shaft 82 and normal- 1y urges the shaft 82 downwardly, or considered in another manner. urges the block I32 upwardly away from the lower end of the shaft. The plate I02 is provided with an extending seeve block I38 which is welded or otherwise secured to the bottom surface thereof, and which forms with the aperture in the plate I02' a cylindrical guide surface for the reduced portion I40 of the housing block I32, accommodating relative sliding movement of the block with respect to the plate I02.

It will be noted that the spring I 08 normally urges the bearing housing 84 upwardly which, in turn, exerts an upward pressure on the shaft I8. This produces a tension on'the shaft 82 tending to move it upwardly against the pressure of spring I38 thereby tending to raise the block I32 and break the toggle knuckle at I 21 to allow the toggle to collapse by outward movement of the clevis I23. This forces the clamping head 62 upwardly away from the supporting head l1 to release the clamping engagement between the head 62 and the ring 68.

In the operation of the structure as thus far described, the operator first places a banjo housing of the type shown in Figure 1 in centered position on the head I1 with the cam rings 65 and 66 disposed in cam position to decrease the axial distance between the head 62 and the upper surface of the cam ring 68. At this time, the head 62 is removed from the shaft I8 to allow the positioning of the housing as described. The operator then places a reinforcing ring of the type disclosed in my above referred to co-pending application on the upper banjo flange 12 and mounts the head 62 on the upper end of the shaft I8 in the manner previously described. In order to hold the clamping ring in position. the operator then must move the shaft I8 downwardly with iii.

. downwardly, which in turn acts through spring E38 to pull the shaft Q2 downwardly. This results in pulling the hearing housing 8% downwardly against the pressure of spring H33 and draws the shaft is and the clamping head against the ring iii. In order to hold the toggle linkage in this clamped position against the pressure of springs i til and 338, I provide a suitable latch i62 pivotally supported as at i on the lever 656, and normally urged in one direction by the spring i it connected between the latch and angle supporting member 53.

Midway between its ends, the pivoted latch 352 is connected to a link M8 by means of the pin Hit, and the link 9% at its opposite end is pivotally connected by the pin i l? to one end or a bell crank member ltd pivotaliy supported as at I 39 adjacent the treadle portion of the lever i it. As the operator pushes the treadle- H9- downwardly, he also automatically breaks the toggle connection between the bell crank its and link M5 drawing the latch hi2 outwardly and downwardly. This latch ratchets along the latch plate 659 secured to the front face of the transverse angle member Q52, and when the head 51 has moved to fully clamped position, the latching dog Hit of the latch engages under a suitable detent on the latch plate itil. This holds the treadle member iii: in locked position against the pressure of springs lot and ltd to hold the clamp head t2 firmly against the ring J3.

A lost motion connection is efiected by the mechanism indicated generally at iti! so that variations in thickness of the ring and flange can be accommodated by this mechanism. This adjustahility is also, to some extent, obtained by the provision of a number of detents on the latch plate i550.

Having latched the treadle member ii 6 in position to clamp the ring on the banjo flange, the operator then actuates the motor til, which through the reduction gear 66 and the'pulleys t3 and 2s slowly rotates the shaft 2'3 to cause rotation of the head ill. Through the key 29, the shaft ill is also rotated, the thrust bearings 68 and 3 accommodating this rotating movement. An arc is then struck in the V-shaped cleft indicated at Mill in Figure between the outer annular surface of the ring and the normally extending planar surface of the flange by means of the electrodes 562, and a suitable weld is thereby continuously formed in this cleft by the welding apparatus indicated generally at i553 and supported in fixed position by the overhanging rail 8. After the housing has been rotated through a complete revolution so'that a continuous annular weld is produced in this V- shaped cleft, the operator steps upon the projecting portion I55 of the bell crank I58 thereby pulling the latch I42 outwardly from the latch plate I50 by means of the link I45 and releasing the tre'adle member for upward movement. This movement is assisted by the spring member H58 secured at one end to the angle member I51 aiecpici adjacent the top of plate iii, and at its opposite end secured to the treadle member, as indicated at 259. The spring lfit thereby snaps the treadle' the clamping engagement between the head 62 and the ring it.

The head 62 is then removed from the upper end or the shaft it, and the housing is reversed in position on the head ill with the welded ring disposed in engagement with the upper surface oi the cam ring 83, the cam ring 68 at this time losing rotated with respect to the ring 65 to decrease the axial distance between the upper surface of the ring t8 and the plate 22 to accomto he clamped due to the addition of one ring. A second ring '13 is then placed in position over the other flange of the banjo, and the head 62 is again engaged with the upper end of the shaft to. Upon depression of the treadle member H8 the shaft is is pulled downwardly to move the head 52 into clamping engagement with the second ring 13, and is locked in position by the latch M23. The motor is then started, and as the head ll rotates, aweid is formed in the V-shaped cleft securing the ring to the banjo in the manner previously described.

,20 modate the increase in thickness of the work It may be desirable to enclose the operating parts of the supporting mechanism within a hood to protect the same from any hot metal droppings from the welding electrodes, but such protection is an obvious mechanical expedient and need not be described in detail.

It is therefore believed apparent that I have provided a. method of securing these reinforcing rings to the banjo flanges which insures accurate positioning oi the rings on the flanges and maintenance of this position during rotation of the banjo past a fixed point, whereby a continuous annular weld'rnay be produced. The inclination of the axis of rotation is desirable since it opens up the V-shaped cleft so that the weld may be formed directly therein, the two surfaces defining the cleft extending at angles of 45 with respect to vertical. Thus the welding apparatus may he fixed in position, and the rotation of the housing may he so controlled that a continuous 4 weld of the desired strength can be uniformly produced about the annular surface of the ring.

it do not intend to be limited to the exact details of the particular apparatus disclosed herein as illustrating a preferred embodiment for carrying out the present invention, since various changes and modifications may be made therein. The invention is therefore to be limited only as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for securing reinforcing rings to the banjo flanges of an axle housing comprising a stand having a rotatable head about which the banjo flange is centered, a shaft extending through said head and axially movable relatively thereto, a head portion on the upper end of the shaft, clamping means having a slotted center adapted to fit over said head portion and then rotated to lock the same on the shaft above and overlying the periphery of said head, and means engaging the lower end ofsaid shaft for moving said shaft axially to move said clamping means into axial pressure engagement with a reinforcing ring on the flange of a housing centered on said head.

2. In combination, a supporting stand, a rotntable supporting head provided with an annular flange portion, cam rings supported on said flange portion one of said rings being rotatable on the cam surface of the other ring to vary its position axially of said head, a shaft extending through and keyed to said head and movable relative thereto, means pivotally mounted on said stand beneath said head including a. treadle operated mechanism engaging the lower end of said shaft for moving said shaft in one direction, spring means normally urging said shaft in the opposite direction, a clamp detachably supported at the end of said shaft above said head, and looking means carried by said treadle mechanism for holding said clamp and shaft in flxedaxial position relative to said head to produce axial clamping pressure on work disposed about said head between said upper cam ring and said clamp.

3. In combination, a supporting stand, a head having a cylindrical drum-like portion and a lower work supporting radially projecting flange, means for rotatably supporting said head in inclined position on the stand, a shaft extending entirely through said head and having toggle operating means at the lower end beneath the head including a treadle pivoted to said stand for'moving said shaft axially downwardly through said head, a lost motion connection in said toggle-operated means, a clamp head detachably secured 1.0 the upper end of said shaft above the flrstnamed head axially clamping the work between said flange and said clamp head about said head portion, andmeans relatively movable with respect to said flange for varying the axial distance between said clamp head and said work supporting flange.

4. Apparatus for securing reinforcing rings to the opposite banjo flanges of an axle housing, comprising a stand, axially reciprocable shaft, a centering drum mounted intermediate the ends of said shaft and having a radial flange at the lowerend thereof, a pair of superposed cam rings on said flange surrounding said drum, said rings being relatively movable to vary the axial distance with said drum, and manually operable means in said stand below said drum for engaging the lower end of said shaft for moving said shaft axially to shift said head axially toward said drum to clamp the banjo of the housing about said drum between said head and the uppermost cam ring.

5. In apparatus for securing reinforcing rings to the opposite flanges of a banjo frame of an axle housing, a stand, a rotatable shaft normally urged into one axial position in said stand, means for moving said shaft axially, a drum mounted in fixed axial position on said stand intermediate the ends of said shaft and keyed for conJolnt rotation with said shaft, means projecting radially from the lower edge of said drum for supporting said banjo frame thereabout including cam means for varying the axial relation of said frame relative to said drum a distance equal to the thickness of one of said rings, a clamp head having a center slot, and means at the upper end of said shaft above said drum adapted to pass through said slot and then be rotated to overhang the sides thereof for securing said clamp head thereto to clamp a ring to the upper flange of said frame under axial pressure upon axial movement of said shaft.

6. In a stand of the class described having a work supporting head and a shaft extending through and keyed thereto and axially movable relatively thereto, resilient means below said head normally urging said shaft axially in one direction, a treadle pivotally mounted on said stand, a pair of toggle members having a knuckle joint and having a connection at one end to the stand and at the opposite end to said shaft adjacent the base of the stand, and means connecting the knuckle joint to said treadle for straightening the toggle to move said shaft axially of the head against said resilient means.

7. The stand of claim 6 further characterized in the provision of a spring compensated lost-motion' connection between the shaft and said opposite end of said toggle members.

GEORGE SPA'IIA. 

